Chapter 158: Chapter 122: The Inside Story (2)
This time, even if she didn’t go to the Northeast, she would go next year. She mentioned privately that next year Jiao Jiao would be 18, an adult, and that Jiao Jiao must personally sign the lease for the courtyard when she turns 18. Since she’s coming to Beijing, it’s a good time to transfer the bank savings and that large courtyard to her, along with those dowries.
I asked her why not keep something for herself, and she said she plans to give the bank savings of my salary to Jiao Jiao too. Her monthly salary is nearly two hundred, enough for her own use. It’s better to explain things early, in case if anything happens to her, things don’t remain unclear.
Your older sister also worries that I might be reluctant to give everything to Jiao Jiao. But she indeed cares; she’s the biological mother! Even if she hasn’t seen or visited her, in times of trouble, she still thinks about her own child. That’s the same with all mothers."
Lin Liyin stood up, paced around the room for a long time, then walked to her mother, "Mom, your plan is to have my brother-in-law make up the shortfall of 2000 US Dollars, and with my sister’s 20,000, that means we’d need about 25,000 yuan. I only have less than 3000 on hand, what about the rest of the money? Why don’t you just talk to my sister, have her keep it from my brother-in-law? When he returns, they won’t lack money, and his overdue wages alone amount to a lot, higher than my sister’s salary."
"Otherwise, do you understand why I’m in a hurry to make up 20,000? If your brother-in-law’s salary makes up 50,000, and your sister doesn’t reach 20,000, how can I face your brother-in-law? Don’t tell your sister anything, she can’t keep secrets, and her husband is the head of the family. Believe it or not, she wouldn’t suspect her husband of having secret funds.
From what I know about Zhou Xiaozheng, that guy still has something up his sleeve, he just hasn’t shown it. Your father says Jiao Jiao doesn’t trust others, like her father, the two of them are shrewd, your sister is lucky to have them. Your money will cover the 2000 yuan for the courtyard, Jianjun knows it’s a loan, so you won’t be troubled. Wait until your big brother’s salary comes in, and we’ll move things around. We’ll deal with future issues later. If there’s no other way, I’ll sell the remaining gold on hand. I originally wanted to save it for three grandsons, but let’s see."
Lin Liyin sat down on the bed, leaning against the headboard and slowly said, "Mom, do you really think my sister is lucky? When my brother-in-law returns, will they still share a bond, or drift apart? I’m still worried. What Dad said, is it true— that Jiao Jiao would truly protect my sister, even if my brother-in-law has a wandering eye? If my brother-in-law ignores her, my sister probably won’t bear it, I wonder if she can overcome this hurdle?"
"Haha, rest assured. If Jiao Jiao is smart, she will definitely protect your sister. Her dad is still young, and if he were to find someone as a stepmother for her, she might even find ways to break them up without hesitation. No one would welcome a stranger beside her dad, or taking her place once the child is born.
Moreover, no matter how angry your brother-in-law gets, he won’t blame your sister. He’s truly a man, preferring to shoulder issues on his own, even blaming himself. However, he does have some distance with us.
For the Zhou Family, this time, they might really sever ties. He never had a good relationship with the Zhou Family. Now, his precious daughter is cutting loose the burdens for him. He must be too delighted.
With just the fact that your sister is Jiao Jiao’s mother and waited for him all these years, she can live without worry. Your sister’s stubbornness brings its own fortune. Luckily she didn’t listen to me. If she had married someone else, Zhou Xiaozheng and Jiao Jiao wouldn’t even bother with us, they’d treat us worse than strangers. Their path would have truly ended. They’re such proud people by nature, tolerating no betrayal or deceit."
"Haha, that’s good. No matter the standpoint, with a daughter protecting her, my sister can rest easy. My brother is also back, and once we handle this money, there’s really nothing for our family to worry about.
As for my second brother, with my second sister-in-law supporting her maternal family, you wouldn’t mind giving Gold Mountain. I really don’t understand why the Jiang Family supports their own so heavily; what are they gaining from it? Are they neglecting their own lives? None of their sons and daughters-in-law dare to go home. Helping has limits, right? Mom, this time you must hold strong! Or else my second sister-in-law won’t recognize what’s good. Asking for money without any gratitude, not looking after their parents, but still needing support from them. If Dad knew, would he punish them? Did my second brother know about you moving my brother-in-law’s money before sending a package and a watch for Jiao Jiao?"
Mrs. Lin quickly sat up, her face stern, speaking urgently, "He doesn’t know! It’s usually your second sister-in-law keeping things from your second brother, otherwise, if he found out, wouldn’t he be angry? Don’t let anything slip. From now on, I won’t listen to your second sister-in-law.
Your second brother even wrote saying how unfair it is your older sister doesn’t visit her daughter, saying the child is too pitiful and advised your sister not to buy any valuable items for their girl, but instead mail them to Jiao Jiao. He said he is too far to visit and is worried if he doesn’t see her. Probably he accepted too many things from your sister, and covertly bought the gifts to send over, maybe even your second sister-in-law doesn’t know about it."
Lin Liyin awkwardly smiled, apologetically said, "I am the most carefree one, if I had known earlier that Jiao Jiao didn’t have it easy in the Zhou Family, I would have gone to see her. Jianjun did mention a few times to me, urging me to find out. He said in the countryside, there’s heavy preference for boys over girls, suggesting life might not be as good as I imagined. Seeing my sister not going, I just thought I’d let it go. Now that my brother-in-law is coming back, I feel embarrassed to meet him. He has always been nice to me, but I didn’t reciprocate."
Mrs. Lin nodded, sighed, "It’s already happened, there’s no turning back now; just leave it be. If you must blame, blame me, this old lady. Shanshan did mention wanting to visit, but back then, the world was too chaotic, and I couldn’t放心 her going. After liberation, I also advised her that if she didn’t have time off, she shouldn’t go, as it takes half a month for a round trip. Instead, I suggested bringing the child over directly. I didn’t want your sister to visit the Zhou Family, you never know what might happen there.
Your father has grievances against me, I know. Not having Jiao Jiao grow up beside us, I admittedly didn’t have any such feelings. Moreover, your father made inquiries and wrote letters, always hearing reports of the child doing well. Her grandfather kept saying that she wishes not to return to Beijing, enjoying the company of siblings at home, concerned about being the only child in the second branch. They hoped once she reached a certain age, she could return to Beijing smoothly with a household register and a courtyard in place. So your father and I decided we couldn’t ignore her status as the Zhou Family’s granddaughter. At that time, we had three daughters at home, so I truly didn’t pay attention to this granddaughter."
Seeing Mrs. Lin in a bad mood, Lin Liyin consoled her with a few words and then settled Mrs. Lin down to rest, returning to her own room.
Lying on the bed, Lin Liyin’s mind kept reflecting on her mother’s words. She truly didn’t know her sister’s home was this well-off, no wonder her brother-in-law wasn’t concerned about her spending, she had the backing.
Reflecting on her own in-laws, Lin Liyin sighed deeply. This year, her younger brother-in-law got into university, and Li Jianjun plans to bring his two younger sisters to Beijing, with everything well planned. After paying 2000 here, finances became tight. Suddenly having two sisters-in-law shows up,
Thinking about so many people crowding into the small courtyard is indeed a headache, and who knows if her sister would agree to lend her the big courtyard? There was still confidence to directly ask before, but now knowing the courtyard was never purchased by her sister but was Zhou’s, she isn’t quite sure. It seemingly depends on her brother-in-law’s consent, but would he agree?
Lin Liyin doesn’t quite understand how things came to this point. Since their home neglected his daughter for 17 years, this Yue Family was inconsequential to her brother-in-law. Moreover, even after repaying, it’s only a small part of what’s owed. Her mother had no other option but to feign ignorance. As for her brother-in-law, he has no desire for interaction with them. Their relationship is less than average friends’, and in the future, they’ll simply maintain appearances.